Automatic switch-throwing device.



'.1. N. uulNN. Y AuTomAnc swlTcH THowms nEvlcE.

Patented lune I7, |902.

(Application mea mr. s, 1902.)

l 2 sheets-sheet l."

(No Model.)

i SWW/whom No. 702,745. Patented June I7, |902. .1. N. uulNN. f y

lAUTOMATIC SWITCH/THRUWING DEVICE.

(Application filed' Mar. 8, 1902.)

2 She-ets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

UNITED" I PATENT rrfcs.

JOHN N. QUINN, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

. AU'toMATlcsw/liTcH-THRowlNeDEVICE.

SPECIFICATIQNformng part of Letters Patent No. 702,745, dated J une 17,15502.

' Y Application tiled March 8, 1902.` Serial No. 97,221. (No model.) lI' To @ZZ whom t may concern,.- n

Be it known that I, JOHN N. QUINN, a citi"- zen of theUnited States,residing at Cincinnati, in the'conntyof Hamilton and State of Ohio, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvementsin Automatic Switch-Throwing Devices, ofwhich the following is a specication.

The objectof my invention is to provide an attachment toaswitch-standwith an operatinglever-rod extended along the track adapted to beoperated by a train, so as to secure an effectual closing of thesiding-switch,thereby preventing a derailing of the train.

switch-stand `that the'A latter 'can be voperated Without disturbing thesupplemental closing' mechanism operatedfrom the ltrainsome distancefrom the switch-stand.l A

Another object of my invention is to so arrange the train-operatingdevices with the switch-stand lever that when the switch-stand has beenaccidentally left open and then closed by the engineer on the train theswitchstand cannot b'e operated to open the switchrailswithoutreadjusting the connection between thetWo Vswitch-throwingdevices,there by acting as a detective to show the delinquency'of the;switchman innot'iclosing the switch or else to showthat it has beenunlawfully opened. 1

Other features of my invention are more fully set forth in thedescriptionof the accompanying drawings, forming a part ofthisspecification, in which- Figure lis a plan View of myswitch-operating devices in position for use. Fig. 2 is an enlarged topplan View of the track-switchoperating mechanism. Fig. 3 is a section online irgFig. 2. Fig; 4 is a perspective view of sliding frame.'B`ig.'5isa`pe1'spective View of pivoted lever for operating theswitch-bar. Fig. 6 is a perspective View of trip portion of tripping-arm.A Fig. 7is van 'enlarged section on line e fr, Fig. l. Fig. 8 isa perspective view of train-operated links and connectingrod, said partsbeing detached from each other.

In Fig. l of the accompanying drawings, A Arepresent the ordinarysiding-switch rails closing to the main rails B B. C represents thethrowing mechanism, which also can be 0perated by the track throwingmechanism. These intermediate throwing devices are composed of thefollowing parts:

p E represents a housing in which are mounted the" ffi'ierati-11sf `evff A F represents a sliding frame adapted to move longitudinally in thehousing or box. a represents a sill on which is pivoted a locklever G.This lever is pivoted at its forward 'end to the switch-bar and is theinstrument c, affixed' tothe sill. b. Between the sills a and b isaspacel. (See Fig. 3.)v In this space is placed Va trip-arm cl, and thisis detachably connected tothe lever-arm G', preferably in the followingmanner:

. ae. represents an open slot, its front face having a knife-edge pointf. Upon the trip-arm d is mounted a catch g, tapered rearwardly, asshown at h, soas toform anf incline adapted to catchtheknife-point f atvarying distances and secure the engagement of th'etrip-arm d with thelever-arm Grfeithpr -Wlenthe switch is full open or only partially open.In Fig. 2 the partsare shown in the normal position.

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The lever-arm G' extends back and is held from moving by the guard orledge t' back of the slot in the housing-box. In this position theswitch is closed and the trip-bar d is not in engagement with theswitch-throwing arm. If now the switch-bar I-I has moved the arm 'G'forward far enough to pass free from the guard or ledge t', it isbrought into position so as to engage with the catch 71. of the tripbarcl, operated by the track-throwing mechanism. The parts are so disposedthat when the switch is partly open or full open this engagement of thetrip-bar d is positively secured by the movement of said trip-arm. Inorder to hold the trip-bard back or to insure its engagement, a spring.I is interposed between the sill a and said trip-bar. In order toprevent the trip-bar (Z from being thrown too farback, Iprovide stops j7c, which arrest the backward movement of the trip-bar beyond thedesired position.

In order to hold the engagement of the switch-stand bar l-I with thelever-arm G', I provide a spring G2, secured to the sill l and theforward end engaging with arm G', holding the parts in contact for theoperation of the switch-stand.

In order that when the switch has been left accidentally open and isclosed by the approaching train that this movement may be detected orregistered, I provide the following mechanism, so as to keep unshippedthe switch-stand connection with the switch-bar, requiring areadjustment or connection ofthe parts. This leaves the switch-railpermanently closed against opening. This is accomplished as follows:

l( represents a catch pivoted to sill Z7. It is shown as provided withtwo teeth m. Upon lever-arm G' is a tooth a. When the switch has beenclosed by the track-throwing mechanism, the parts will be in positionshown in dotted lines, Fig. 2, the engagement ot' tooth 7L with thecatch m holding the arm G', and consequently the arm G, in the lockedposition. The switch-bar opens and closes the switch by the longitudinalsliding of the frame within the housing. The track-throwing devicecloses the switch by the swing of lever Gsolely. Consequently when theswitch has been closed by the throwing of lever-arms G G', with movementof the bed-frame, the arm G' will be locked backward, requiring a manualresetting of the parts before the switch can be operated by theswitch-stand. Thus au unlawful or an accidental opening of the switch bythe switch lever, which switch is closed by the train, will be detectedor registered by locking the parts out of position until readjusted. Itis preferred to have the housing locked, so that it has to be openedbyan authorized person, thus preventing unlawful tamperingwith theswitch-stand and switch.

In order to operate the track throwing mechanism from and on the movingtrain, I provide the following mechanism:

L represents .a link-rod pivoted at one end to the trip-bar b andextending alongside of the track the required distance. The extended endis pivoted to a two-armed lever M, which is in turn pivoted at o to thebed O.

vN represents a connecting-rod pivoted to the arm M' of the two-armedlever M; N', a coil-spring for holding it in its innermost positiontoward the track. The inner end oi' the connecting-rod is pivoted tolink-bars P P', each 4the counterpart of the other, the inner end ofsaid connecting-rod being preferably housed within the links P P'.

p represents a slotted journal in which the pin of the connecting-rodmoves laterally. These links P P' are placed alongside of the track atsome predetermined height and distance, but in such relation with themoving train that their inner faces are engaged by a trip-leverprojected down from the car or locomotive and in the path of the links,so as to engage them and press the said links outward, throwing theconnectingrod N outward, which in turn moves the two-armed lever andpulls the link L forward, which moves the lever-arms G G' in thehousing-box, operating the switch-bar to close it completely, andwhether the switch-stand be fully or partially open it would be closedby the appreaching train in the manner hereinbetore described. I am thusable to obtain means for positively closing a switch whenever it isleft' open or partially opened, and thereby preventing the derailing ofthe train, and when the locking-catches are employed the accidental orpurposely leaving the switch open to the side track is detected andregistered automatically by the train closing the switch.

The two-armed lever M is shown in the preferred form of construction,the parts being arranged so that when the connecting-rod N is moved thepivot-point u will travel and come to the dead-center line with pivot o,thereby limiting the movement of trip-bar L. By this means any desireddistance of travel or throw of the link-bar L is obtained. If theswitch-bar must be moved five inches or three and one-half, the leverwill be proportioned accordingly, so that it is limited to the distanceof movement without regard to the distance the train has moved the linksP P'.

Having described my invention, I claim-` 1. A switch mechanism adaptedto throw a switch-rail into or out of contact with the main rail,comprising a housing, a sliding frame therein movable to and from thetrack, `a switch-lever, a bar connected thereto and to the frame, aswitch-bar connected to the switch-rail, pivotal connections between thelast-named switch-bar and the sliding frame forming a break-joint bymeans of which the switch can be thrown independent of the sliding frameand mechanism for actuating the said break-joint, substantially asdescribed.

2. A railroad-switch comprising a main rail and a switch-rail adapted tobe moved into TOO log

IIO

and out of contact therewith, a switch-lever, a sliding frame actuatedtherebymovable'inV a direction to and from the main rail, memberspivoted on said sliding frame and connected to said switch-rail, rigidin a direction' of movement of said sliding frame and movable in adirection transverse thereto, atrip device adapted lto be actuated bythe moving train, and connections between said trip device and one ofsaid pivotalmembers mounted on said sliding frame wherebyv the switchcan be closed independent of -said switch-lever, substantially asspecified.

3. A railroad-switch comprising a main rail and a switch-rail adapted tobe moved into and out of contact therewith, a switch-lever, a slidingframe movable toward and from the main rail, a bar connecting saidsliding frame to the switch-rail, a secondbar connecting the saidsliding frame to the` switch-lever, pivotal connections on said slidingframe connecting said sliding frame to the bar attached to theswitch-rail, said pivotal connections being rigid in a direction ofmovement of the said sliding frame and adapted to yield to a strain in adirection transverse thereto, to throw the switch-rail independent ofthe movement of the sliding frame, a trip device adapt- 'ed to beactuated by the moving train, and

connections between the said trip device and pivotal devices mounted onthe sliding frame, whereby the switch can be closed independent of theposition of said switch device, substantially as specified.

4. In combination with a railroad-switch and switch-stand operating asliding frame to vthrow the switch, a switch-closin g mechanismcomprising a switch-bar, a lever pivoted thereto and to the slidingframe detachably connected to the switch-stand lever and atripping'mechanism adapted to engage said pivoted lever and connected toan actuated de-l vice alongside of the track in advance of the switchwhereby said pivoted lever may be operated from the train to close theswitchl 6. In combination with a switch and switch-v bar connected to anintermediate sliding frame of a lever pivoted to said sliding framev andto the switch-bar, mechanism for holding said pivotedlever into rigidposition against the throwing strain of the switch-stand lever,

substantially as specified.

'7. The combination with a sliding frame forming the operating parts ofa switch-stand of a lever pivoted to said sliding frame andvdetachablyconnected to the switch-'stand lever,

mechanism for holding said 'pivoted lever against 'movement on itspivot, a stop on the frame-bed for locking said lever in position whenthe switch is closed and tripping mechanis'm for releasing said leverwhen the switch is partially open and bringing into engagement atripping mechanism whereby said le-l ver can be thrown to close theswitch by mechanism independentoi:` the switch-stand,

substantially as specified. 1

8. In combination with a sliding frame adapted to be operated by aswitch-stand lever, of a switch-closin g mechanism consisting of a leverpivoted tosaid sliding `frame, an arm carrying a tripping device adaptedto engage said lever when said sliding frame is switch-stand and itsoperating-lever, of a sliding frame intermediate thereof, a leverpivoted to the sliding frame and to the switchbar and detachablyconnected to the switchstand lever, a tripping-arm intermediate,v of

the parts of said sliding frame provided with means for engaging saidpivoted lever and' u having connection with actuating mechanismindependent of the switch-stand for operating said pivoted lever toclose 4the switch, and

mechanismfor locking said lever in positionv after-the switch has beenclosed by said tripping-arm, substantially as specilied.

10. The combination `with a switch-bar, a

switch-stand and a sliding frame operated by the switch-stand lever, ofa switch-closing lever pivoted to the said sliding frame and to theswitch-bar, a tripping-arm adapted to be engaged with said pivotedlever, an extendlever adapted to be loperated from a moving train andthrow said lever on the sliding frame to close the switch, substantiallyas specified.

11. In combination with a sliding frame operated by a switch-standlever, of a lever pivoted to said sliding frame andto the switch- I bar,a tripping-armoperated by an actuatinglever'located alongside-of thetrack in front of the switch-stand, means located adjacent y,to thetrack for operating said' actuating-lever whereby the switch may beclosedbymoving-said actuating-lever independent ofthe switch-stand,substantially as speciiied.

12. A switchmechanism adapted to throw a switch-rail into or out oflcontact with the main rail comprising a housing, a sliding. frametherein movable toand fromthe track,

a switch-lever, a bar connected thereto and `to the frame, a switch-barconnected to the IIC fed rod connected to an actuated lever located Yalongside of the track and mechanism Aadjacent to said track connectedto said actuatingswitch-rail, pivotal connections between saidswitch-bar and the sliding frame forming a break-joint by means of whichthe switch can be thrown independent of the sliding frame, mechanismadapted to break said joint and close the switch, and locking meanslocated in the housing adapted to be automatically engaged by one ofsaid pivoted members when the joint is broken, whereby the switch islocated in its closed position, substantially as described.

13. A switch mechanism adapted to throw a switch-rail into or out ofcontact with the main rail comprising a housing, a sliding frame thereinmovable to and from the track, a switch-lever, a bar connected theretoand to the frame, a switch-bar connected to the switch-rail, pivotalconnections between said switch-bar and the sliding frame forming abreak-joint by means of which the switch can be thrown independent ofthe sliding frame, mechanism adapted to break said joint and close theswitch, and locking means located in the housing adapted to beautomatically engaged by one of said pivoted members when the joint isbroken', whereby the switch is located in its closed position, and aslot in the side of said housing allowing a portion of one of the saidpivoted members to project externally when the break-joint is operatedthereby indicating that the joint has been broken, substantially asdescribed.

14E. In combination with a switch-operating mechanism,an independentsafety-trip therefor, consisting of a base-plate located adjacent to thetrack, a lever pivoted to the baseplate opposing one of the tracks andadapted to be actuated by the moving train, a conmeeting-rod parallel tothe track for transmitting motion to the switch-operating devices and abell-crank lever pivoted respectively to said base-plate, to saidtrip-lever and to said connecting-rod, the said bell-crank being shapedand fulcrumed so as to form a positive limit to the throw of theconnectingrod, substantially as described.

15. In combination with a switch-operating mechanism, a bed-plate, atoggle-lever having its ends pivoted to the bed-plate and its middlejoint flexed toward one of the trackrails, means for holding saidcentral joint normally in its position, the said central joint normallyin this position, the said central joint forming an abutment adapted tobe actuated by a moving train in a direction to and from the rail, aconnecting-rod leading from the bed-plate to the switch-operatingmechanism, movable in a direction parallel to the track, a bell-cranklever the middle joint of which is pivoted to the bed-plate, one of theends of said bell-crank lever being pivoted to the end of theconnecting-rod, and a link pivoted respectively to the other end of saidbell-crank lever and to the said central joint of the toggle-lever, thesaid bell-crank lever being shaped and fulcrumed to limit the length ofthrow of the connecting-rod irrespective of the length of throw of thesaid central joint of the toggle, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

JOHN N. QUINN. Witnesses:

OLIVER B. KAISER, IDA J. LUcUs.

